Remote File Access

Producer can browse, upload, and manage files on remote nodes over the network. This is how you push assets, choose Asset Watcher folders, and pick startup show files on Runner nodes without sitting at each one.

For security, each node controls which of its folders a remote Producer may reach. You grant that access on the node itself, in the Access Control app.

Granting access on a node

Remote browsing of a node is blocked until you allow the folders. Do this on the target node:

  1. Open the WATCHOUT Manager tray icon and choose Access Control....
  2. Click Add Folder... and pick a folder Producer may browse. Remove a folder with its trash icon.
  3. Restart WATCHOUT Manager on the node so the change takes effect.

The Access Control app also has an Allow software updates option — see Software Updates. The Access Control app is covered in Launching the Application.

WATCHPAX nodes ship with common data drives already allowed. Remote browsing works without setup.

The file browser

The file browser opens whenever a feature needs a path on a remote node — choosing an Asset Watcher folder or an export destination, for example. It shows:

  • A Roots view of the allowed folders on the node.
  • Navigation controls — an up-arrow to the parent folder, a refresh button, and a new-folder button.
  • A table of files and folders, with double-click to open a folder.
  • Select and Cancel buttons.

Subfolders of an allowed folder are reachable too. An allowed folder that no longer exists on disk appears disabled with a Does not exist tooltip and cannot be selected.

When remote access is required

Remote file access is used to:

  • Upload assets from Producer to a node's storage.
  • Choose Asset Watcher folders on remote Runner nodes.
  • Pick a startup show file on a remote node.
  • Export and import assets to or from remote nodes.

When access is blocked

If you browse a node whose folders are not allowed, Producer shows: "Remote file browsing is not allowed on [node name]". Allow the folder in the node's Access Control app (above), then restart its WATCHOUT Manager.

Security

  • Allow only the folders WATCHOUT needs — show data and asset storage, not whole drives.
  • Avoid allowing the root of a system drive (such as C:\). Prefer specific folders.
  • Review allowed folders periodically and remove ones no longer needed.
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